The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III joined his ancestors in the late hours of Friday, at 83 years, according to palace officials.
Here are some facts you might not know about the late first-class Yoruba monarch:
Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Atanda Adeyemi was born on October 15, 1938.
He was from Alowolodu Royal House, and a member of the House of Oranmiyan.
His father Raji Adeniran Adeyemi became Alaafin of Oyo in 1945 and was deposed and exiled in 1954 for sympathizing with the National Council of Nigerian Citizens (NCNC).
Adeyemi III’s great-grandfather Atiba was Oba Atiba Atobatele, who founded the New Oyo while his great-great-grandfather, was Alaafin Abiodun direct descendant of Oranmiyan, the founder of the Oyo Empire.
Lamidi Adeyemi was chosen by the kingmakers on November 18, 1970, and then moved into the palace after completing the necessary rites under the tutelage of the Oyomesi.
Oba Adeyemi succeeded Alaafin Gbadegesin Ladigbolu II in 1970, during the governorship of Colonel Robert Adeyinka Adebayo,
He is a lover of boxing, as he was a boxer before ascending the throne of his fathers.
Lamidi Adeyemi III began his education at a Quranic School in Iseyin. After his primary education, he was offered admission into Igbobi College and St. Gregory’s College, Obalende. He chose to attend St. Gregory’s College, Obalende.
Lamidi worked briefly at the Royal Exchange Assurance in Lagos, while working at the Royal Exchange.
Alaafin was married to 13 wives which included Ayaba Abibat Adeyemi, his senior wife. Other wives were Ayaba Rahmat Adedayo Adeyemi, Ayaba Mujidat Adeyemi, Ayaba Rukayat Adeyemi, Ayaba Folashade Adeyemi, Ayaba Badirat Ajoke Adeyemi, Ayaba Memunat Omowunmi Adeyemi, Ayaba Omobolanle Adeyemi, Ayaba Moji Adeyemi, Ayaba Anuoluwapo Adeyemi, and Ayaba Damilola Adeyemi.
He was honoured with the national honour of CFR at the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos, in 1979.
In 1980, the Federal Government appointed Kabiyesi Alaafin Lamidi Adeyemi III as the pioneering Chancellor of the newly established University of Sokoto, now Uthman Dan Fodio University, Sokoto where he spent 12 years.
He was in his second term as the Chancellor of the University of Maiduguri in Borno State.
